GLASGOW is safer from the threat of fire after a near 20% fall in the number of fatalities, figures reveal today.

Fire deaths for 2012 to 2013 fell 18% on the previous year and are down 36% over five years.

The statistics follow the Evening Times-backed Join The Fight Against Fire campaign, which supported a Strathclyde Fire and Rescue (SFR) bid to cut fire deaths.

Lewis Ramsay, SFR assistant chief officer, said: "We are delighted with the results of the campaign, which was the first where members of the public could read our message in the Evening Times, listen to it on the radio and then go online for more information. This co-ordinated approach seems to have worked really well."

Statistics will not be finalised until April but provisional numbers show:

l A drop in the number of house fires, deliberate fire setting and a boost in home fire safety visits.

l House fires have fallen by 9% from last year and are down 13% on a five-year average;

l Deliberate fire raising down 20% on last year and 40% over five years;

l Fire casualties up 5% on the previous year but down 3% on a five-year average.

Join The Fight Against Fire also urged readers to take advantage of free home fire safety visits. There was a 10% increase in HFSVs during 2102 to 2013, compared to the previous year, 21,000 compared to 19,000.

Mr Ramsay added: "I would like to thank the Evening Times for all its efforts in supporting our campaign."

SFR becomes part of the new Scottish Fire Service on Monday, when the Evening Times will give more details of how the changes will affect Glasgow.

meanwhile, firefighters and staff helping cancer patients get life-saving transplants have been recognised with a prestigious Above the Call of Duty award from Fire Magazine.

Strathclyde Fire & Rescue has been working with the Anthony Nolan Trust to recruit potential bone marrow donors, to help people suffering from blood cancers, including leukaemia.

Thanks to their efforts almost 5000 extra people have signed up to be donors.